Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 693

Chapter 693 155.4 - Case of a breakfast

"I didn't know. I just picked what I had."

Irina stared at him, her fiery eyes narrowing with suspicion. Those words-I just picked what I had felt hollow, a flimsy excuse that didn't match up with the improbability of the situation. Not because she'd caught him slipping or because his face betrayed him, but because something in her gut told her it wasn't the whole truth.

And Irina Emberheart trusted her instincts.

She pushed back her chair and stood, walking toward him with deliberate steps. Astron remained where he was, leaning casually against the counter as he watched her approach. His sharp purple gaze followed her every move, calm and composed, but she noticed the faintest flicker of something in his eyes-amusement? Challenge? She couldn't quite place it, but it only fueled her determination.

Stopping just in front of him, she set her empty cup down on the counter with a sharp clink. "Refill," she said flatly, holding his gaze.

Astron arched a brow but didn't move immediately. "Demanding, aren't we?" he remarked, his tone light.

Irina crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. "Stop dodging," she said firmly. "You didn't just 'pick what you had. That's a lie."

Astron sighed softly, his calm demeanor unshaken as he reached for the teapot. "You're persistent," he said, pouring the tea into her cup. The fragrant steam curled upward, but his movements were almost too casual, too composed.

"And you're deflecting," Irina shot back, her tone sharp. She took the cup and stepped closer, her fiery gaze locked onto his. "Why those herbs, Astron? Why those exact three?"

Astron paused for a fraction of a second, the briefest hesitation in his otherwise smooth actions. It was enough for Irina to pounce. "See? You hesitated," she said triumphantly, her tone gaining a hint of smugness. "You do know something."

He set the teapot down with a quiet clink, finally meeting her gaze fully. "You're reading too much into this," he said, his voice calm but firmer now. "It's just food,

Irina."

"Just food?" she echoed incredulously, her hands moving to her hips. "Do you have any idea how many herbs exist that you could have chosen? And you just happened to pick the exact ones I like? That's not a coincidence."

Astron tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Why does it matter so much to you?" he asked quietly. "Do you think I have some secret motive for making AMTMH--R8,EBUMHBE FR F5, P55" ,E 3Ru

breakfast?"

"It's not about the motive," Irina replied, her voice softer but no less insistent. "It's about you not being honest. I want to know how you knew."

The silence stretched between them, the air thick with unspoken tension. Astron's gaze didn't waver, but Irina could feel the weight of his thoughts, the way he seemed to be calculating his next move.

Finally, he exhaled softly, his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "And if I said I guessed?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of challenge.

Irina leaned closer, her fiery hair brushing against her shoulders as she stared him down. "Then I'd say you're a very lucky guesser," she said dryly, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "But I don't believe in luck like that. So, I'll ask again-how did you know?"

Astron's smirk widened ever so slightly, the amusement in his eyes more evident now. "You're relentless," he said, almost as if to himself. "Fine. Let's just say..." He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a softer, more deliberate tone. "I pay attention." Irina blinked, her breath hitching as his words sank in. "Pay attention?" she repeated, her voice faltering slightly.

He straightened, his calm composure firmly in place as he picked up his own cup. "You can learn a lot by observing," he said simply, taking a slow sip of his tea.

Irina stared at him, her mind racing. Pay attention? What does that mean? How much does he know about me? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, though she wasn't sure if it was unease or something else entirely.

Well, she knew the answer internally though.

Irina's lips parted slightly, her voice stumbling as she latched onto his words. "Observing? You've been... observing me?"

Astron set his cup down with a deliberate calmness, his sharp purple eyes meeting hers. "I observe everyone," he said simply, his tone even.

Her fiery eyes narrowed at his response, a flicker of irritation crossing her features. "Everyone?" she echoed, her tone pointed. "So, you're saying you do the same for Julia or Lilia? Or Senior Maya? Sylvie?"

For a brief moment, Astron's gaze sharpened a flicker of something unspoken crossing his expression at the mention of those names. But just as quickly, his composure returned, his voice steady as he replied, "Yes. I do."

Irina bristled, but before she could interrupt, he continued, his tone taking on a faint edge of challenge. "The same goes for Ethan, Lucas, Carl, Victor, Eleanor, or anyone else I've crossed paths with."

His words struck like a hammer, and Irina felt her chest tighten as she realized what he was saying. He wasn't denying it-he was leveling the playing field, making it clear

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that his observations weren't personal. But still...

Everyone? The thought clawed at her, and she clenched her fists slightly at her sides. She understood his point, but understanding didn't stop the faint sting in her chest. Why? Why did it bother her so much? Why couldn't she be satisfied with his answer? Her fiery gaze flicked up to meet his, a mix of frustration and something more vulnerable flickering in her eyes. "But..." she started, her voice softer now, tinged with a hint of something she couldn't quite name. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"But?"